Romania

[RO] Government Decision on the Switchover to Digital Television

IRIS 2010-7:1/32

Eugen Cojocariu

Radio Romania International

The Romanian Government adopted on 12 May 2010 a decision that regulates the switchover to digital television and enables the National Authority for Administration and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM) to start the procedures to award the first two licenses in this field (see IRIS 2010-3: 1/34).

The Government decision regarding the granting of licenses for the use of radio frequencies within the digital television system modified the Government’s Decision no. 1213/2009 (HG 1213/2009), which approved the Strategy of transition from analogue terrestrial television to digital television and the introduction of digital multimedia services at national level (see IRIS 2009-9: 17/26).

The decision sets the conditions, license fees and the type of procedures to award licenses for the switchover to digital television.

According to the decision, the first two digital multiplexes will be granted on a comparison-based selection by 30 July 2010 and the next four digital systems will be awarded by 31 October 2010. Romania’s population will be able to receive free to air 14 digital TV channels through the first two multiplexes.

The Romanian Communications Minister said the license fee will range between EUR 1 million and 2.5 million, adding that the fee for the first two licenses will be set taking into account the reception equipment that future license winners will subsidise. The Minister further stated that the license fee for the offer of digital television services cannot be below EUR 1 million.

The first two licenses will cover 60% of the country's population and 50% of its territory by 30 June 2011. By the end of 2011, the digital services of the first two license winners will cover 80% of the population and 70% of the territory, respectively 90% of the population and 80% of Romania's territory by 30 June 2012.

The initial schedule to switch from analogue to digital television on 1 January 2012 was delayed for six months. Romania has a total of six allocations (multiplexes) which will cover the national territory.